THE BASIC CONCEPTS PROGRAMME

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THE BASIC CONCEPTS PROGRAMME

A Metacognitive Programme For Young Children Who

Experience Barriers Towards Learning In The Foundation Phase

A Programme Developed By:

Louis Benjamin, Ph.D.

Tel: 021 797 9110

Cell: 084 857 8763

Website: www.basicconcepts.co.za

Email:

[email protected]

Twitter: @basicconcepts1

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How much support do these children/learners require?

Pre

-

school phase

School phase

1

2

3

4

5

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“

90% of all brain development occurs by

the age of five. If we don't begin thinking

about education in the early years, our

children are at risk of falling behind by the

time they start Kindergarten."

Robert. L. Ehrlich

THE IMPORTANCE OF GRADE R

AND THE ECD PHASE

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Foundation phase

teaching is a highly

specialized profession.

Don't be fooled by the age of the kids!

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HOW WOULD YOU TEACH THESE CHILDREN?

PHOTO 1

great ease

---

_---

ease

_ease

---

_---

depends

_depends

---

---difficulty

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HOW WOULD YOU TEACH THESE CHILDREN?

PHOTO 2

great ease

---

_---

ease

_ease

---

_---

depends

_depends

---

---difficulty

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HOW WOULD YOU TEACH THESE CHILDREN?

In the same way?

• These children look like they are thriving

•These children look alert •These children seem engaged and interested •The children seem content •These children look like they are learning

• These children look like they experience some dev. difficulties • These children look a

little confused

• These children seem vacant/not present • These children do not

look like they are learning

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

• Background

• Culture

• Religion

• Language

• Socio-emotional

• Socio-economic

• Physical and developmental

• Life experience

• Educational experience

• Material resources

PREPARATION FOR SCHOOL LEARNING

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Are There Special Ways To Teach So

That Children Learn In Grade R?

Children who come to educative

experiences with very different

experiences need approaches which

reflect an understanding

of these differences!

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BASIC CONCEPTS PROGRAMME

Three components:

-

-1.

Mediational Teaching

2. Teaching Model

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MEDIATIONAL TEACHING

mediator

mediatee

content

MEDIATOR

---BLOCKS---

TEACHER---BLOCKS---CHILD

CHILD

---BLOCKS---

MEDIATOR

Golden Triangle

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BASIC CONCEPTS PROGRAMME

Three components:

1. Mediational Teaching

2. Teaching Model

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1a. SEEING

1b. NAMING

2. IDENTIFYING

3. INTERNALISING

4. APPLICATIONS

6. TRANSFERRING:

5. BRIDGING

BASIC CONCEPTS TEACHING MODEL

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BASIC CONCEPTS PROGRAMME

Three components:

1. Mediational Teaching

2. Teaching Model

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RED

YELLOW

GREEN

BLUE

BLACK

BROWN

CIRCLE TRIANGLE RECTANGLE SQUARE DIAMOND STAR

BIG

SMALL

BIGGER

SMALLER

MEDIUM

MIDDLE

LEFT

RIGHT

TOP

MIDDLE

BOTTOM

UP

DOWN

MORE

LESS

1,2,3,4,5

1ST , 2ND

3+4 = 7

7-4 = 3

A,B,C,D,

... X,Y,Z

CAPTIAL

SMALL

LETTERS

LOWER ORDER CONCEPTS

HIGHER ORDER CONCEPTS

CONTENT OF THE

BASIC CONCEPTS PROGRAMME

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Are There Special Ways To Teach So

That Children Learn In Grade R?

‘

There is agreement that to have an

understanding of developmental psychology, to

be able to respond to the astonishing range of

the exploratory young mind and to make those

responses accessible whilst structuring and

extending the next stage of development takes

extraordinary talent. Yes, most definitely.

’

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‘

‘Two of my focus group learners are now able to use full, construTwo of my focus group learners are now able to use full, constructive sentences ctive sentences when speaking in class. They are able to identify and remember t

when speaking in class. They are able to identify and remember the concepts he concepts taught to them.

taught to them.’’ ‘

‘I have a girl called I have a girl called LifileLifile VahalaVahala who could not speak English at all. After who could not speak English at all. After implementing the BCP she has developed some English vocabulary a

implementing the BCP she has developed some English vocabulary and is eager nd is eager to speak.

to speak.’’ ‘

‘MuMu--ainain was very slow to complete his work. He is eager to come onto thwas very slow to complete his work. He is eager to come onto the mat to e mat to do the BCP. His speaking and concentration levels have increased

do the BCP. His speaking and concentration levels have increased a lot.a lot.’’ ‘

‘This has just boosted the learning in the class This has just boosted the learning in the class …… it makes the learning process it makes the learning process fun for the learners. I can see

fun for the learners. I can see …… the vast improvement in the intervention group.the vast improvement in the intervention group.’’ ‘

‘Three of my target group learners are now able to be placed in mThree of my target group learners are now able to be placed in my second group. y second group. (Even with) their language problem they are now able to grasp co

(Even with) their language problem they are now able to grasp concepts better.ncepts better.’’ ‘

‘The learners developed confidence because at first they did not The learners developed confidence because at first they did not even want to talk even want to talk in class, but now they can talk

in class, but now they can talk …… and also have a (better hand) grip and also have a (better hand) grip …… (their) (their) motor skills have developed

motor skills have developed …’…’ ‘

‘Children respond and participate more freely in other discussionChildren respond and participate more freely in other discussions.s.’’ ‘

‘My learnersMy learners’’ language has developed. Most of them have become confident and language has developed. Most of them have become confident and independent

independent …… Learners who were extremely weak have greatly improved and Learners who were extremely weak have greatly improved and have (moved) up to my first group. Their reasoning and thinking

have (moved) up to my first group. Their reasoning and thinking skills have skills have improved.

improved.’’

EMDC CENTRAL, 2007 EMDC CENTRAL, 2007

TEACHER COMMENTS ABOUT THE BASIC CONCEPTS PROGRAMME

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‘

‘They are eager to work and they are more at ease to speak and heThey are eager to work and they are more at ease to speak and help the slower lp the slower learner.

learner.’’ ‘

‘LearnersLearners’’ minds have opened to perceiving things in detail.minds have opened to perceiving things in detail.’’ ‘

‘Learners started to interact more. Language started to improve Learners started to interact more. Language started to improve …… they are they are confident to answer questions within the group and classroom.

confident to answer questions within the group and classroom.’’ ‘

‘All learners in my class enjoy the All learners in my class enjoy the programmeprogramme. Stronger learners help or . Stronger learners help or encourage slower learners. Learners are able to verbalize better

encourage slower learners. Learners are able to verbalize better. . ProgrammeProgramme helps with other learning areas.

helps with other learning areas.’’ ‘

‘One of my Xhosa learners who could not speak a word of English hOne of my Xhosa learners who could not speak a word of English has now as now acquired vocabulary through the BCP. I have seen some progress i

acquired vocabulary through the BCP. I have seen some progress in reading and n reading and mathematics with some pupils.

mathematics with some pupils.’’ ‘

‘Learners who would never talk are now starting to participate (vLearners who would never talk are now starting to participate (verbally). erbally). Introverted learners are now starting to participate in lessons.

Introverted learners are now starting to participate in lessons.’’ ‘

‘Some of my learners who are in the BCP Some of my learners who are in the BCP …… it has helped them to speak it has helped them to speak …… Some Some didn

didn’’t want to speak, but now they can (and) they are so interested it want to speak, but now they can (and) they are so interested in the BCP.n the BCP.’’

TEACHER COMMENTS ABOUT THE BASIC CONCEPTS PROGRAMME

EMDC CENTRAL, 2007 EMDC CENTRAL, 2007 EMDC CENTRAL, 2007 EMDC CENTRAL, 2007

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